Lump on 5-month old kitty

[Tina B and crew]

Hi Mark...hope everything turns out OK for your kitty...keeping you both in my thoughts! Keep us posted on what happens

[Spez]

Traci: How is it determined whether a lump is a benign cyst or something more serious? Do they just automatically remove it and have it biopsied (sp?) or do they draw out cells with a needle and then examine them. I just noticed a little lump on the tail of my cat Daise. I plan to have the Vet take a look at it, but would like to know a bit of what they might do first. If the prognosis is benign cyst, what happens then??? Thanks.

[Zola]

Are there other cats in the house? It could be a little abcess as well from a claw wound. It doesn't take much, even playing too rough can get one going.

Hopefully the vet visit goes well.

[Mark]

Good news. After a brief exam, the vet said it's a cyst, not a tumor. It's underneath the skin and moves freely, so apparently that was the determining factor in the diagnosis. I asked about vaccination sites, and the vet said he never gives vaccinations there. That, plus the age of the kitty, also argued against it being a tumor.

He speculated the cyst was caused by some sort of injury. This is the most rambunctious little cat ever, so it could have been any number of "Jackass" type stunts he is known for. lol We have to apply Gentocin two to three times a day for three weeks, and the cyst should gradually go away.

I want to thank everyone for their expertise, kind thoughts and best wishes.

[Traci]

Traci: How is it determined whether a lump is a benign cyst or something more serious? Do they just automatically remove it and have it biopsied (sp?) or do they draw out cells with a needle and then examine them. I just noticed a little lump on the tail of my cat Daise. I plan to have the Vet take a look at it, but would like to know a bit of what they might do first. If the prognosis is benign cyst, what happens then??? Thanks.

If the cyst or lump is not massy (hard feeling), and seems not to be connected to vital tissue or bone, an aspirate with a fine needle can be effective to draw up a small amount of fluid (or blood) and then examining the cells under a microscope. If the vet is experienced, he will probably recognize it if the cells appear to be sarcoma-like. But, if he can't differentiate by that method alone, it's best to either get a new, complete aspirate sample and send it off for cytology, or depending on the findings/suspicion/nature of the lump, then removal under general anesthesia and the tissue sent off to pathology.

If benign, some cysts or lipomas are better left alone, unless in an unusual area, seem abnormally large, seem to bother the cat, or are in an area the cat could further worsen the situation by scratching, biting at, self-mutilation, etc.

If malignant, of course, complete excision and option for treating with chemotherapy and/or radiation would be preferrable (depending on the type, age and health condition of the patient, location of tumor, etc)

As for Daise, your vet will look closely at the 'lump', and based on his clinical experience, will tell you at that time whether or not he wants to take a quick aspirate (doesnt require anesthesia)......if concerned, he could also opt for a quick x-ray of both the tail and chest areas for any signs of metastisis, spreading to major organs, etc. (this would not be the nature of a vaccine sarcoma, but rather checking for other types of neoplasia, especially in an older kitty)

Hopefully, the exam will go quckly, won't be any concern, and that you'll be in an out of the office without incident (no aspirate necessary, etc).....but always best to get ANY lump checked pronto, never wait on these.

[Traci]

Wonderful news, Mark, I'll bet you feel the world was lifted from your shoulders Thanks so much for the update!